You can easily do this from most genealogy software programs – I have used Family Tree Factory and Family Tree Maker. I used Legacy for fan charts. Other programs will do it too. You choose the branch of the family you wish to highlight, create a pdf file and send it to the printers to be printed.

Banners engage the family – people look at dates, give you corrections, make comments about middle names, are surprised we know so much about their family. It is a great jumping off point to discussing family history and an opportunity to collect more information.

TIP – let them write the corrections right on the banner or have family group sheets available.

Tip – people like to see themselves on the banner especially little kids so figure out all those little cousins and get them added into your family tree if you go with the banner approach.

More examples of banners here. I used a background picture on these earlier versions.

If you don’t want to do it yourself, send your gedcom off to FamilyChart Masters. They do a great job and will print it for you.

b. Self publishing

1) Create an ebook from family tree program – create a pdf file from your family tree program such as Family Tree Maker and send to the printers

2) Create a narrative or descriptive book - Inspiration for this is Lisa Alzo’s Ready, Set, Write! Share Your Family’s Story Webinar at Legacy Family Tree . I highly recommend this webinar and the show notes.

c. Digital Scrapbooks

Create a digital scrapbook with photos from a milestone birthday or family reunion. Include historic photos from the person’s life. I use Picaboo for my digital scrapbooks and I scan the old photos on my trusty Flip-Pal Scanner.

d. Other websites -

1. Kid’s Activities – Lorine Massey’s Olive Tree Genealogy has lots of ideas for engaging kids in family history.

Blog, Blog, Blog your family history! Tell the stories and share the links with your family by fanning it through the social media (Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus) using tools like Su.pr. Don’t assume your family will visit your blog – people are busy. Send them a notice by email or text. Text messages still get opened!

I love your big charts! I was recently at a reunion and the family tree was almost 20 feet wide and had been printed on a plotter. Everyone wore their lineage on their name tag, and could walk up to the chart and trace their roots several generations. Your charts look great with the graphics and colors.

Hi Amy,
Thanks! I love your 3 minute family history video. It is a great idea.

Joan

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